2003 releases read

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have accidentally bought two books this afternoon. Sunshine by Robin McKinley, and Paladine of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold.There goes my restraint.
I have to say that apart from the Tawny Man books, I hadn't really anticipated many good books out this year, but I have thankfully been surprised by LOADS of good stuff!
I started reading Conquerors Moon by Julian May over the weekend and although it is starting to get interesting, plot wise I keep thinking...Farseer trilogy. Anyone else get that impression?
One book that was a disappointment this year was the Sharon Shinn latest offering from Samaria. As usual, I forget the title, but I can't say much about it except that it was a bit formulaic. I want her to write a Uriel & Hagar Scifi/Fantasy epic, like Anne McCaffreys PERN stuff...I know she has it in her!!

Oh well. I shall stop grumbling and start reading!Is anyone else planning to read sunshine? Or will I end up posting a note once I have read it and get no responses?That would be sad..:(
 
replies

Join the crowd. We can have our own support group for people who post bu get no response.
:)
 
We ought to promise to try and read a book someone wants to discuss, but I am scared of committing to reading something like Gibsons Cyberpunk stuff, or Steve Erikkson. Much as I liked Gardens of the Moon It took me months to recover from its density. I am still not sure about all the gods stuff...

Going back to the previous post about the most eagerly awaited release for this year, my vote would be for the books in the Tawny Man Series by Robin Hobb, particularly Fool's Fate. Judging from many of the threads here, and the outside world too:) I have to say it has been quite a wait!I haven't read a series this good since I was in my teens. Which of course means decades ago.:)
 
Hey here's an idea! If you want to discuss something like 'what is the most anticipated release of 2003', why don't start a thread with that topic? Trying to post that type of question in the middle of a multi-page thread and then being upset at the lack of response just might not be the way to go about this.

Just a hint, mind you. Also wanted to point out that this thread actually has the courtesy of telling you exactly what it is for.
But as a courtesy to you two new ones, I will expand so there is no mistake.

'2003 releases read'

that is the name of this thread

It is for members to list what 2003 release they read and what they thought about it. If others want to respond, then they will. But this is one of the 'reference' threads that when people are looking for new recommendations or what to keep in mind for their next jaunt to the bookstore. So, in truth, it is more of a courtesy listing thread than a discussion thread. But the nice thing is that there are several threads that can accomodate you in this area. For instance, you post the same thing here and at the books reading by current month thread (which is more of a what I am reading, want to read, might read type of thread).

So if you want to discuss something, please go ahead. If you want to start a new topic, I guarantee it will get more attention if you just start a new thread and not try to hijack another one that already has been established for a particular topic that doesn't cover what you want to talk about.


So if you will go back to the main board and just click on the 'New Thread' button and have at it.
 
Last edited:
Twas wondering when JohnH would spank them for being of topic in his thread.;)

I just finished Fools Fate by Hobb and all I'll say here is that it was a disappointing end to the series(all nine books). No where near her best.
 
Huh? I loved the series. Twas just a bad last book. So we agree on the series but not the ending:).

The 2nd Tawny Man book imo was written heaps better and Fools Fate just doesn't compare to it.
 
Last edited:
Regardless, I think you see my point.

Golden Fool was excellent as well, but I think Fool's Fate tops even that masterpiece. I suspect one's preconceived notions about what you want to happen with the characters in the end will greatly influence how people judge Fool's Fate, but I don't think there's any doubt that her writing is at least as good as in the other books.
 
You had a point? Bugger I must have missed it.

I suspect one's preconceived notions about what you want to happen with the characters in the end will greatly influence how people judge Fool's Fate,
Click to expand...

Well perhaps for some, but I know I had no preconceived notions of what I wanted to happen(I never thought about how it would end). The ending(story wise) was fine. The execution of that ending imo was poor and subpar for her. The scenes that should have brought me to tears didn't.
 
You had a point? Bugger I must have missed it.

Well, you know what they say, the more things change, the more things stay the same :)
 
Well the year is being whittled away at an alarming rate and my to-read pile seems to just keep growing. A few chips though to report on.

Mortal Suns by Tanith Lee is a nice different approach to fantasy. Lee manages a wonderful mythic sense to her work; heavy ancient greek influence allows for a recognizable, but fresher take on a story that has all the trappings of a greek tragedy. But isn't, really. Lee likes the grotesque and a bit of it shines through. She also likes to shock, so if any potential readers are firmly entrenched (mired?) in present day social mores, it might not be a book to pick up. Lee manages to straddle what is acceptable today with a keen historical and cultural perspective of what can be accepted in a different world/society. Definitely worth reading and I am hoping that the list of works she has forthcoming will not delay the proposed sequel too much.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. This book strikes me as being even less of a YA work, than her previous The Thief Lord. It is also a much superior work. It is delightful book for people who love books. It should end up becomign a classic in the likes of HP, Narnia and such just for the broad accessibility this book has. Enough said.

Fool's Fate. Truly one of the best books this year. Incredible. Weighing in at over 800 pages, this book was non-stop, page-turning enthrallment Hobb is one of the few authors that write in the first person and yet still manages to create one of the largest arrays of wonderul and intriguing characters and plots ever. I am at a bit of loss, knowing that this story is done (Hobb swears she is finally done with the Six Duchies and perhaps the world as whole). Hobb has left me in awe with her character of Thick. She managed to transcend the complexity of this character from the previous novel and in simple strokes create one of the most human fantasy characters I have ever read. Fitz came off mighty fine as well. I am so glad that I have Duncan's next "King's Blades" books to recover with as I think everything for a month or so after would fall short.
 
Last edited:
And to add "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini in my reading list. I loved the book and even liked it more than the latest installments of my favourite authors, Eddings and Brooks. this is a great fantasy in the epic traditions of the genre, full with likable characters, cunning villains. The world is rich and interesting and i'm already anxious for the next volume.
11/10
 
I'm reading Sappho's Leap by Erica Jong. It's a fascinating look at Sappho's life.

I read Greek mythology long before I discovered fantasy. Here the two are combined. Great book so far.

Susan
 
I finished Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold. I borrowed it from my library since it is still in Hardcover.

After a bad start it picked up, and ended very well. I loved the book eventually, but was actually pretty bored for the first 80 pages.

LMB does an accurate portrayal of a woman at mid-life having to reinvent herself, but Ista is so lacking in personhood that those 80 pages are not riveting, and you fear that she will spend the entire book reflecting, recriminating, and reacting. Her major complaint about her household is that they treat her like a 'failed child' rather than a respected adult, but Ista takes on the role of 'failed child' and plays right along.

I wonder if LMB will keep writing each book with mostly new leads, or if we are going to follow Ista as she takes up her new calling. I liked Iselle and Cazaril, and now I like Ista and Ilvin, and the others. I would like to spend more time with all of them.
 
Wolves of the Calla

Just a heads up that the Dark Tower series continues in bookstores on Tuesday Nov. 4.
 
I just read Paladin of Souls and I thought it was amazing. I liked it from the beginning as it intrigued me that it told the story from an unusual point of view. I found this insight extremely sensitive and realistic. And Ista's recovery from mental health issues was handled realistically and well. Thats what I think. So nuh:D
I also read The Spirit ring straight after and that was good too...though it was obviously a first outing into Fantasy and therefore a little awkward.

I am in the middle of Fools Fate but won't discuss that here. You can tell I've had a week off work as I have been catching up loads!
 
reading

Well I read all the anne rice books, and all the oprah books too. But Just a month ago started reading fantasy. I picked up books from famous and new writers alike. Just bought, and actually finshed, Breaking the Circle by Kevin James Breaux. I ended up on his site from another and found it intriguing. He is a new writer, and the story has its flaws, but it was very interesting. The characters seem toi have a life, like many factual books I have read. I will say there was a great twist in the book, and so much angst in the one character. Very nice. As one of my first books in the fantasy world it was nice, kinda a baby step. I may read a Dragonlance book next, or so my husband suggests.
 
I hadn't commented here on Fool's Fate, which I finished over a month ago. Easily the best book I've read all year, and most rewarding of all of Hobb's books. Very emotionally engaging, very cosy setting, the Fitz books rank in my all-time top three. Very pleased to see the ending I was always lighting candles for. 9,5 stars out of 10.

I also finished The Fall of Lautun, final volume of Marcus Herniman's Arrandin trilogy, the previous parts of which I read earlier this year. It was on the same level as the previous books, I do think this is a fairly well-written Fantasy in the Tolkienesque vein, which is not to say it copies Tolkien, but that the world is comparable (as are some of the story elements, but they are with completely different characters and circumstances). The ending didn't disappoint, but overall the books have a bit of a lightweight feel to them.

Upsides to this trilogy:

* The magic and the mages, I liked their scholarly attitudes and their hierarchy (Mage Councillors, High Councillors, Archmages, Prime Councillors)

*Other races. In varous forms you have The Fay (Elves), Noghr, (Dwarves) and a few others magical creatures which do make several appearances. I liked their presentation here.

*A wide array of secondary characters, some of which are very interesting.

Downsides:

* Main characters are flat IMO. The main male protagonist (Kellarn) and the main female (Rhysana) have different storylines which converge in book three but they characters are never compelling.

* Because the cast of characters is gigantic (think Tolkien, or Erikson), and the names of many of the small characters (Bradhor, Boldrin, Braudhaur for instance) are quite similar it can become a chore to check back who is who (which is possible in the extensive glossary). It didn't trouble me at all, but note that my memory, especially with names, is above average. I have seen a few reviews on the Net which all named this aspect as a downside.

*In the end it's forgettable. The battle with the great demon captain which has been foreshadowed from page one does actually come, unlike in the Lord of the Rings, but it is not an overwhelming success. Still, glad he does show up, though I did expect it. But the trilogy feels rather lightweight.

In the end, I'd say that fans of Feist and Tolkien could give this a try. I rate it 7 stars out of 10.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Sponsors


We try to keep the forum as free of ads as possible, please consider supporting SFFWorld on Patreon


Your ad here.
Back
Top